Negotiation is about relationships, says NU student Vojta Cetkovský

NEWTON students are well-prepared for success, and Vojta Cetkovský, a professional negotiator, is a prime example. He shared his experiences in a highly engaging workshop held last academic year in Brno, which generated significant interest. The event also featured Radim Pařík, the most renowned negotiator in the Czech Republic, as a guest speaker. We decided to interview Vojta because he can inspire other young talents, not just those from NEWTON University.

Vojta, you organised an interesting event on the topic of negotiation at NU. What drew you to this field?

During my time at university, I have been focusing a lot on personal development. I try to learn skills that I will be able to use in my future entrepreneurial life. I read a lot of books, and one of them was “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss, which is about negotiation. That was my first real encounter with negotiation, and it sparked my interest to study it more deeply. It was during this time that I came across Radim Pařík, who taught me the art of negotiation.

What do you like about negotiation?

Definitely its diversity. To become a true professional, you need to study psychology, communication, various tactics and strategies, and even non-verbal communication. Then you must learn how to put all these pieces together and start applying them in practice.

You collaborate with Radim Pařík, a leader in the field. How important is a quality leader or mentor in personal development for you?

A quality mentor is the only shortcut to success. You have the opportunity to learn from someone who has already paved the way before you and is willing to share both their successes and failures. This is a huge advantage that a good mentor can offer. It allows you to avoid making your own mistakes. It’s faster and better to learn from others’ mistakes than from your own.

If you had to give one quick and simple piece of advice on how to negotiate effectively, what would it be?

Build a relationship with your negotiation partner. A well-negotiated agreement isn’t about steamrolling the other side. You may get everything you want, but no one will ever want to work with you again. When you build a relationship with the other party, they will always be open to further negotiations and subsequent cooperation.

What does studying at NU give you? Is it good preparation for life?

What I really like about NU is how theory translates into practice. At NEWTON, it’s not just about listening to long, boring lectures; it’s mainly about creating a large number of projects during the various exercises. The teachers show you how to apply everything in practice using specific examples. They teach you to think like an entrepreneur or a very good manager.

Who has influenced you the most at school?

I probably won’t name anyone specific. I’ve been greatly influenced by the students from all the different years. They are young, ambitious, and hungry to live successful and fulfilling lives. At NU, it’s normal to talk about who has already founded their own start-up, where they currently work, and where they are heading in life. It’s simply a very motivating environment.

Why did you choose to study at NEWTON?

NEWTON University is known for its emphasis on practical education, which is what attracted me the most to this school. I want to learn real skills that I can use in life, not just theory. Additionally, these skills are taught by people from the field who have tried and tested them themselves and only teach what actually works. Because of this, I feel that I am ahead in a professional life compared to students from other schools.

Where are you heading? What is your goal and vision?

I want to build my life. My goal is to master three key areas: finances, time, and relationships. I want to start businesses and invest so that one day, I don’t have to look at the right side of the menu to see what I can afford to eat. Another advantage of entrepreneurship is the time flexibility that allows me to plan and manage things according to my own schedule. My life goal is to have many quality relationships around me, with whom I can create interesting projects.

Are you planning to study anything else?

I plan to study for the rest of my life. Currently, I’m about to start my final year at NEWTON University, and after that, I will consider one of the offered MBA programs.

What would you say to students who are just starting at NU?

You are in the right place. Take full advantage of this opportunity. Meet new people. Take advantage of the projects the school offers. Learn how to be better than the competition in the future.